Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of December 6, 2014 to December 7, 2014:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, noon – 1 p.m.
Look! Up in the sky, it’s a bird! But what kind of bird is it? Join the Prospect Park Alliance to learn about the magnificent array of birds that call Prospect Park home. Led by the Brooklyn Bird Club.

Pop-Up Audubon: Prospect Park Geology
Every Saturday and Sunday, noon – 4 p.m.
Join the Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs that explore different areas of Prospect Park each month.

Nature’s Helpers, 1–2 pm
Spend time enjoying nature, while helping to keep the Park clean. Learn about mulching, and how it makes the Park green and healthy. Tools, garbage bags and trash grabbers will be provided.

Nature on the Go!, 2–3 pm
Ever wonder about the history of the Park’s varied landscapes? Did dinosaurs ever roam this land? Join the Prospect Park Alliance for a hike around the Park to view some of its important geologic features. Participants will learn how to use a hand lens and identify different types of rocks.

Family Birdwatching, 3–4 pm
Learn how to identify common birds that populate the Park in the winter months.

Sunday, December 7, 2014, noon – 4 p.m.
Early Morning Bird Walk: Twelve Birds of Winter
Sunday, December 07, 10 a.m. – noon
Not everyone flies south for the winter. Join the Prospect Park Alliance to spot Prospect Park’s most common winter birds during their busiest time of day. Led by the Brooklyn Bird Club.

Nature on the Go!: 2–3 pm
Learn about the nature that is all around us. A naturalist leads children and families to areas near the Audubon Center to discover the flora and fauna in the Park.

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Brooklyn Gull Tour
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik
Focus: primarily gull species, waterfowl, raptor and winter passerines seen during tour
Car fee: $12.00
Registrar: Mike Yuan, email (preferred) mjyuan@gmail.com
Registration Period: Nov 25th - Dec 4th

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Rye Playland and Environs
Leader: Tom Burke
Registrar: Louise Fraza – louisefraza@yahoo.com or 212-534-6182
Registration opens: Monday, November 24 Ride: $25
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Littoral Society
December 6, 2014
Waterfowl Workshop (10am-1pm)
Meet 10am at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife refuge center . A slide presentation followed by a walk around the refuge to observe the different species of waterfowl.
To reserve call (718) 474-0896; e-mail: donriepe@gmail.com.
With NYC Audubon. FREE

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, December 6, 2014, 9am – 3pm
Van Trip to the Winter Waterfowl Workshop at Jamaica Bay
Register for our van trip to the winter waterfowl workshop, and get to Jamaica bay the easy way. Transport by passenger van.
Bring lunch and water. Limited to 12. $28.50 (20) Click here to register

Sunday, December 7, 2014, 10am – 11am
Birding for Families in Central Park
Guide: NYC Audubon Offered by the Central Park Conservancy Meet at the Dana Discovery Center (inside the park at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues). Bring the kids and visit one of New York City’s richest bird habitats. As a family, learn how to spot and identify our feathered neighbors in their natural surroundings. Binoculars can be borrowed from the Dana Center. For weather cancellation information, call 212-860-1370.
Limited to 20. Age 5 and up. Free

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, December 6, 2014, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Acme Pond
Acme Pond is a diverse ecosystem, located on the north side of Hylan Boulevard and Wolfe’s Pond Park. This walk will take us through hiking trails in some of the most idyllic woodlands in all of New York City, leading to a view of the freshwater pond. We will meet at the corner of Seguine Avenue and Herbert Street. Street parking is available on Herbert St. and in parking lots off of Herbert Street. http://goo.gl/maps/59dvC.
For more information, call John Paul Learn at 718-619-5051 or e-mail john.paul.learn@gmail.com.

Sunday, December 7, 2014, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Best of the Blue Trail to the Cropsey Overlook
Join Hillel on a late autumn walk to the Cropsey Overlook through the woods of the central Greenbelt. Pass ponds and kettle holes and marvel at how ice formed this landscape ages ago. Meet at the High Rock Park parking lot at the top of Nevada Avenue. Rain postpones the event to the same time on Sunday, December 14.
For more information, e-mail Hillel Lofaso at hillel5757@gmail.com or call 718-477-0545.

Sunday, December 7, 2014, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
Protectors’ initial project has been feeling pressure by development lately. The approved build-through of Englewood Avenue and the proposed build-through of the West Shore service road have shown that no property is truly protected. Come stroll along the trails of a combination of ecosystems, such as sand barrens, wetlands, and ponds, and a beautiful park to explore in any season. Meet at the parking lot for the park at 83 Nielsen Ave – http://goo.gl/maps/N5bcq.
For more information, call John Paul Learn at 718-619-5051 or e-mail john.paul.learn@gmail.com.

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Montauk Point
Leader: Rich Kelly 516-509-1094
Meet at the Point before 8am

Notes
MINI TRIPS: Break after lunch +/-
ALL DAY TRIPS: BYO lunch, dinner out. {optl}
WEEKEND TRIPS: Two + days / Overnight

Trip Etiquette
Please register for trips

1 - Register. Let leaders know you're coming!
2 - Car pooling or skipping requires planning
3 - Be advised if there are last minute changes or cancellations. These cannot be communicated to unknown persons.
4 - Be on time! Most trips begin birding by 8am!
5 - Please arrive before the starting time so we do not waste precious early morning bird activity.
6 - Plan your travel time.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Flora and Fauna Tour of Inwood Hill Park with Author Leslie Day at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Come take a bird, mammal and plant walk with author Leslie Day in Inwood Hill Park.
Free!

Birding: Owls at Isham Street and Seaman Avenue (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
5:00 p.m.
Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in New York City.
Free!

Sunday, December 7, 2014
Birding for Families at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Experience the coming of fall in Central Park when it becomes a precious bird habitat and migration hot spot!
Free!